Activities

The British Association of Paintings Conservator-Restorers (BAPCR) Visit to Kyiv

23 May 2017

On May 18-20, 2017 in the framework of the Preservation Initiative for Cultural Heritage a group of experts representing the British Association of Paintings Conservator-Restorers (BAPCR) visited Kyiv.

The visit aimed to scaling up access to professional opportunities, stimulating bilateral knowledge exchange, and promoting global standards in the field of cultural heritage preservation.

On the International Museum Day organised on May 18th, 2017 the BAPCR experts paid a visit to the National Kyiv-Pechersk Historic and Cultural Preserve, which hosts the second largest conservation unit in Kyiv. At the site British experts learned about the history of construction, destruction and restoration of the Assumption Cathedral. The group visited the Trinity Gate Church and exhibition entitled Fresco Paintings at the Church of the Saviour at Berestovo. The tour culminated on the sightseeing platform by the Refectory Church, where the visitors could enjoy a breathtaking view on the lower portion of the Lavra Monastery and the banks of the river Dniper. The Kyiv Preserve specialists and British painting restorers discussed future cooperation and mutual understanding between conservation communities in the UK and Ukraine.

On the same day the group visited the National Science and Research Restoration Centre of Ukraine and discussed with Ukrainian colleagues joined ventures and issues faced by picture restorers and conservators; the group also viewed the Centre’s operations. The parties voiced hope on further fruitful cooperation and communication.

The group of UK experts also visited the National Arts Museum of Ukraine and National Arts and Architecture Academy.

The visit of BAPCR experts to Kyiv was organised by Katya Belaia, a conservator-restorer of Ukrainian descent and a member of the British Association of Paintings Conservator-Restorers (BAPCR) in partnership with Svitlana Gaga-Sheremetyeva, Head of the Science-based Restoration and Conservation Unit for Movable Assets within the National Kyiv-Pechersk Historic and Cultural Preserve with support from the British Ukrainian Society.